I worked 7 days a week while my husband couldn't work. Now I'm learning to slow down.
A freelance worker shares her experience of working seven days a week to support her family while her husband was unable to work due to immigration restrictions. She discusses the personal toll of this lifestyle and her current efforts to achieve a better work-life balance.
Why it matters
It sheds light on the economic pressures faced by immigrant families and the prevalence of 'hustle culture' in high-cost urban environments.
The author used to work seven days a week. Now, she has more free time. Courtesy of Maria Polansky For a while, I had a job and a side hustle, and was working seven days a week. My husband couldn't work during that time, and I felt pressure to stay on top of finances. Now, he has a corporate role, and I'm giving myself permission to work less. Eight years ago, I worked a visual merchandising job with a 6-2 schedule. I also lived in Vancouver , one of the most expensive cities in North America. With mostly free afternoons and a love of writing, I started looking into freelancing to boost my income. It was just a fun side hustle at first. The gigs weren't too time-consuming, and I took a little break after moving to the UK for love in 2019.
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